Introduction to computer networking

Network Definition

• A network can be defined as two or

more computers connected
together in such a way that they
can share resources.
 Definitions (cont..)
A resource may be:
• A file
• A folder
• A printer
• A disk drive
• Or just about anything else that exists on a
computer.
 Definitions (cont..)
• A network is simply a collection of computers
or other hardware devices that are connected
together, either physically or logically, using
special hardware and software, to allow them
to exchange information and cooperate.
• Networking is the term that describes the
processes involved in designing,
implementing, upgrading, managing and
otherwise working with networks and network
technologies.
 Advantages of networking
• Connectivity and Communication
• Data Sharing
• Hardware Sharing
• Internet Access
• Internet Access Sharing
• Performance Enhancement and Balancing
• Entertainment
 The Disadvantages (Costs) of Networking

• Network Hardware, Software and Setup Costs

• Hardware and Software Management and
Administration Costs
• Undesirable Sharing
• Data Security Concerns
 How many kinds of Networks?

Depending on one’s perspective, we can

classify networks in different ways
• Based on network size:
• LAN and WAN (and MAN)
• Based on management method:
• Peer-to-peer and Client/Server
• Based on topology (connectivity):
• Bus, Star, Ring …
 Fundamental Network Classifications

Local Area Networks (LANs):

• LAN is a computer network covering a small geographic area,
like a home, office, or group of buildings

Wide Area Networks (WANs):

• WAN is a computer network that covers a broad area (i.e., any
network whose communications links cross metropolitan,
regional, or national boundaries).
• The largest and most well-known example of a WAN is the
Internet.
• WANs are used to connect LANs and other types of networks
together, so that users and computers in one location can
communicate with users and computers in other locations
 Fundamental Network Classifications

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN):

o A MAN is a network that interconnects users with computer
resources in a geographic area or region larger than that
covered by even a local area network (LAN) but smaller than
the area covered by a wide area network (WAN).
o The term is applied to the interconnection of networks in a
city into a single larger network.
o It is also used to mean the interconnection of several local
area networks by bridging them with backbone lines. The
latter usage is also sometimes referred to as a campus
network.
 Fundamental Network Classifications (cont)

The Local Network (LAN)

Client Client

Client Client

Client Client
 Fundamental Network Classifications (cont)

• Wide Area Network

 Fundamental Network Classifications (cont)

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

 Client and Server computer role in
networking
• Server computer is a core component of the network,
providing a link to the resources necessary to perform any
task.
• A server computer provides a link to the resources necessary
to perform any task.
• The link it provides could be to a resource existing on the
server itself or a resource on a client computer.
• Client computers normally request and receive information
over the network client. Client computers also depends
primarily on the central server for processing activities
 Advantages/Disadvantages of client/server networks

• Advantages of client/server networks

• Facilitate resource sharing – centrally administrate and control
• Facilitate system backup and improve fault tolerance
• Enhance security – only administrator can have access to
Server
• Support more users – difficult to achieve with peer-to-peer
networks
• Disadvantages of client/server networks
• High cost for Servers
• Need expert to configure the network
• Introduce a single point of failure to the system
 Peer-to peer network
• A peer-to-peer network is a network where the computers act
as both workstations and servers.
• great for small, simple, and inexpensive networks.
• In a strict peer-to-peer networking setup, every computer is
an equal, a peer in the network.
• Each machine can have resources that are shared with any
other machine.
• There is no assigned role for any particular device, and each
of the devices usually runs similar software. Any device can
and will send requests to any other.
 Advantages/ Disadvantages
• Advantages of peer-to-peer networks:
• Low cost
• Simple to configure
• User has full accessibility of the computer
• Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks:
• May have duplication in resources
• Difficult to uphold security policy
• Difficult to handle uneven loading
• Where peer-to-peer network is appropriate:
• 10 or less users
• No specialized services required
• Only limited growth in the foreseeable future
Client/Server vs. Peer-to-Peer
 How do we choose the architecture?

• Type of user
• Size of the organization
• Administration
• Security
• Network traffic
• Cost
• Scalability
 Network topology
• A topology is a way of “laying out” the
network.
• The physical structure of a Network.
• Types of topology
• Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh, Tree.
 Topology
• Physical arrangement of
devices in a network
• Common types:
– Star
– Ring
– Bus
– Tree
 Network topology (cont.)
Bus
• A bus is the simplest physical topology. It consists of a single
cable that runs to every workstation

• This topology uses the least amount of cabling, but also

covers the shortest amount of distance.

• Each computer shares the same data and address path.

 Network topology (cont.)
• it is difficult to add a workstation
• have to completely reroute the cable.
• if any one of the cables breaks, the entire
network is disrupted. Therefore, it is very
expensive to maintain.
 Network topology (cont.)
• Bus topology
 Network topology (cont.)
Star Topology
• A physical star topology branches each network device off a
central device called a switch, making it very easy to add a
new workstation.

• Also, if any workstation goes down it does not affect the

entire network. (But, as you might expect, if the central device
goes down, the entire network goes down.)
 Network topology (cont.)
• Star topologies are easy to install. A cable is
run from each workstation to the switch. The
switch is placed in a central location in the
office.
• It is easy to install and manage.
 Network topology (cont.)
• Star Topology
 Network topology (cont.)
Ring
• Each computer connects to two other computers,
joining them in a circle creating a unidirectional path
where messages move workstation to workstation.
• Each workstation participating in the ring reads a
message, then regenerates it and hands it to its
neighbor if the message is not for that station.
 Network topology (cont.)
• The ring makes it difficult to add new
computers.
• Unlike a star topology network, the ring
topology network will go down if one entity is
removed from the ring.
• Physical ring topology systems don’t exist
much anymore, mainly because the hardware
involved was fairly expensive and the fault
tolerance was very low.
 Network topology (cont.)
• Ring Topology
 Network topology (cont.)
Mesh
• The mesh topology is the simplest logical topology in terms of data flow,
but it is the most complex in terms of physical design.
• In this physical topology, each device is connected to every other device
• This topology is rarely found in LANs, mainly because of the complexity of
the cabling.
• If there are x computers, there will be (x × (x–1)) ÷ 2 cables in the network.
For example, if you have five computers in a mesh network, it will use 5 ×
(5 – 1) ÷ 2, which equals 10 cables. This complexity is compounded when
you add another workstation.
• For example, your five-computer, 10-cable network will jump to 15 cables
just by adding one more computer. Imagine how the person doing the
cabling would feel if you told them you had to cable 50 computers in a
mesh network—they have to come up with 50 × (50 – 1) ÷ 2 = 1225
cables!
 Network topology (cont.)
• Because of its design, the physical mesh topology is very expensive to
install and maintain.

• Cables must be run from each device to every other device. The advantage
you gain from it is its high fault tolerance.
 Network topology (cont.)
• Mesh Topology
 Wiring in Computer Networks
There are many different wires and cables that are used to
create a network
 Ethernet cable - often used  Fiber optic cable – used
to connect computers by much of the internet
to send data quickly over
long distances
underground
 Phone or cable TV lines –
connect LAN to an internet
service provider (ISP)
 Wired Network
• A wired network uses cables to connect
network devices
• Wired networks are fast, secure, and simple to
configure
 Wireless Networking
 A network is considered wireless when data is transmitted
from one device to another without cables or wires
 Tend to be slower than wired networks
 Have more security issues
 Common wireless terms:
› Wi-Fi - common standard technology for building home
networks and other LANs
› Hotspots – many businesses use Wi-Fi technology to allow the
public an access point to a wireless network
› Bluetooth – allows handhelds, cell phones, and other
peripherals to communicate over short ranges
 Choose Media based on :

• Wiring configurations
• Distance and location limitations
• Speed
• Reliability
• Security
• Budget
 Protocol
• A protocol is a set of rules that govern the
connection, communication, and data transfer
between computers on a network
• These rules include guidelines that regulate
the following characteristics of a network:
access method, allowed physical topologies,
types of cabling, and speed of data transfer